Are Boobs Getting Too Big?

If the answer were up to men, I’m pretty sure it would be a no. But, when it comes to women and our bodies, learning that we’ve morphed from an average bra size of 34 B to a 36 C is not as sexy as it sounds. Especially when you take into account the reasons why our boobs are seemingly growing. Author Florence Williams has recently sparked debate with her new book Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History. Williams cites our overall-expanding waistlines as the reason for our ballooning breast size—which has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, among other not-so-pretty statistics. She also stated that the more breast tissue a woman has and the earlier she has it, the longer she is exposing that toxin-absorbing fatty tissue to environmental pollutants. And it just so happens, girls are developing breasts and going through puberty earlier than ever before.

Even more shocking, toxic chemicals that get trapped in our breasts get passed down to our newborns through breast feeding. Williams had her own breast milk tested and found it contained an ingredient typically found in jet fuel, as well as chemical flame retardants at levels 10 to 100 times higher than in European women.

As a bra expert and author of The Bra Book, I’d like to think that in part, the change in our average bra size is due to women getting more educated, and getting fitted properly more often. But if Williams is on to the something with her theories, it’s a scary thought. If our larger breasts are a sign we are abusing the planet, as Williams theorizes, we should make a concerted effort to not only be more eco-friendly in our daily lives, but to take better care of our bodies as well!